Oakwell Hall Country Park Circular
West Yorkshire
Oakwell Hall is a Grade I listed Elizabethan manor house built in 1583 near Birstall where dogs are kept away from several ponds and need a lead when cattle graze the fields between March and October, furnished as a family home of the 1690s and run as a museum by Kirklees Council. Charlotte Brontë visited in the 1830s, when relatives of her friend Ellen Nussey ran a school there, and the house became Fieldhead in her 1849 novel Shirley. Around it lies a 110 acre country park of period gardens, woodland, meadows and ponds, with a nature trail, a mountain bike track and boards on the area's coal mining past. This 3km loop from the visitor centre car park follows well-marked paths through the woodland, meadows and gardens, with around 65 metres of gentle climbing and views south towards the Emley Moor mast. Some paths are surfaced and some are unsurfaced and muddy in autumn and winter, with a few steps.
This is a dog friendly walk that suits young and old dogs, with shade in the woods and plenty of other dog walkers. Dogs with good recall can have some freedom in the woodland and open grass, but cattle are reported to graze some fields between spring and autumn, so use a lead near livestock, and dogs are not allowed in several of the ponds. Keep dogs on a lead around the hall and gardens. Parking is free in two car parks, and there are toilets, a cafe and a gift shop by the hall.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.0 km (1.9 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr
- Walk Type
- Park, Historic, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Cafe, gift shop and toilets by Oakwell Hall; picnic areas and play area.
- Parking
- Two free car parks: Oakwell Hall visitor centre car park (daytime) and Bradford Road car park (Kirklees Council).
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Oakwell Hall Country Park Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Weavers Cottage - Slaithwaite
Sleeps 12 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £1,975 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in West YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Oakwell Hall Country Park Circular dog friendly?
Yes, Oakwell Hall Country Park is a welcoming spot for dogs, earning a 7 out of 10 on our dog friendly rating. The 3km loop takes in woodland, meadows and period gardens, and the park tends to attract plenty of fellow dog walkers. Parking is free, and there's a café, toilets and a gift shop by the hall if you need a pit stop.
Can dogs be off lead at Oakwell Hall Country Park Circular?
Dogs with reliable recall can enjoy some freedom in the woodland and open grassy areas. However, leads are required around the hall and gardens, near the ponds (where dogs are not permitted), and in any fields where cattle are grazing — which can be the case between spring and autumn.
What should I know before visiting Oakwell Hall Country Park Circular with my dog?
The route is generally well-marked and suits dogs of all ages, with around 65 metres of gentle climbing and good shade in the woods. Be aware that some paths are unsurfaced and can get muddy in autumn and winter, and there are a few steps along the way. Cattle graze some fields between March and October, so keep your dog on a lead near livestock, and note that dogs are not allowed in several of the ponds.
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Oakwell Hall Visitor Centre Car Park, Nutter Lane, Birstall, Batley WF17 9LG
53.7390, -1.6713
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